At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational improvements, manage inventory, and implement AI-driven systems.
- Company: Fast-growing manufacturer of handcrafted motorbike exhausts in Brackley.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contribution, and direct access to founders.
- Other info: Dynamic role with fast track to senior ops position as the company scales.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building operational infrastructure from the ground up.
- Qualifications: STEM degree or analytical background, 2-4 years in operations, and AI fluency.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We're a fast-growing specialist manufacturer based in Brackley, with a strong turnover, growing at 50% year on year and strong margins. We build handcrafted exhausts for motorbikes using high grade materials. We're a small, skilled team that makes high-quality things and we're now at the point where we need to build the operational infrastructure to match our ambition. We work with external operations consultants who provide strategic insight and project support. This role is the person who makes that strategy real, on the ground, every day.
This is a role for someone early in their career who is sharper than average, process-obsessed, and genuinely excited by systems and efficiency. You don't need a traditional manufacturing background; in fact, we'd rather you didn't have one. What we need is someone analytical enough to spot problems, structured enough to fix them, and tech-savvy enough to build systems that stop them happening again. A significant part of how we expect this role to operate is through intelligent use of AI tools. Not awareness of AI - actual, daily, practical use. If you're the kind of person who has already built workflows, automations, or solutions using AI tools and can't imagine working without them, this role was written for you. You'll be hands-on from day one.
That means managing inventory and shipping alongside implementing an ERP system and driving the efficiency improvement programme we've already started with our external consultants. The role will grow quickly as we do.
What you'll own:
- Inventory management and stock control - reorder points, supplier relationships, and purchase orders, with AI-assisted monitoring and alerting where possible
- Shipping and dispatch oversight - accuracy, lead time adherence, and carrier management
- Production planning - working with the workshop team to schedule jobs and maintain our 6-week lead time promise
- ERP implementation - leading the setup and embedding of an ERP across the business, and using AI tools to accelerate and improve the process
- Ongoing process improvement - identifying and implementing efficiency gains, working alongside our operations consultants, and using AI to surface insights from our operational data
- People coordination - overseeing manufacturing staff and ensuring unskilled work stays off skilled hands
What we're looking for:
- A STEM degree or equivalent analytical background - we care about how you think, not where you studied
- 2-4 years of experience in an operational, analytical, or project-based role - enough to have made real mistakes and learned from them, not so much that you've picked up bad habits
- Genuine, demonstrable AI fluency - you use AI tools daily, you've built something with them, and you can give us specific examples; building a workflow, automating a process, or using AI to analyse data and drive a decision
- Comfort picking up new software independently - you don't wait for training, you figure it out
- Process-minded by nature - you instinctively document, systematise, and improve rather than just doing
- Comfortable with ambiguity - we're building the plane while flying it and you need to be energised by that, not unsettled
- Enough presence and confidence to work effectively with workshop floor staff as well as founders and external consultants
Backgrounds we'd find interesting:
We're deliberately not prescribing a specific background. People who've thrived in roles like this have come from supply chain analysis, logistics operations, management consulting, fast-growing SMEs, or technical project management. If your background is different but you recognise yourself in this description, apply anyway. This is not a desk job or a reporting role. You'll be on the floor regularly, doing unglamorous things alongside the strategic ones. It's also not a role for someone who needs a clear playbook handed to them - a significant part of the job is writing the playbook.
What we offer:
- A genuinely high-performing business - strong margins, fast growth, and financial stability
- £45-55K salary, depending on experience + pension contribution
- Direct access to founders and genuine influence over how the business develops
- External consultant support so you're not navigating the strategic piece alone
- The opportunity to build an operational function largely from scratch, at a stage where what you do genuinely matters
- A fast track to a senior ops role as the business scales - we're looking for someone who grows with us
Operations Manager employer: Hitchcox Motorcycles
Join our dynamic team at a fast-growing specialist manufacturer in Brackley, where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our operational infrastructure. We offer a collaborative work culture that values innovation and efficiency, with direct access to founders and the chance to influence business development. With competitive salaries, a focus on employee growth, and the opportunity to build an operational function from the ground up, this is a unique chance for those eager to make a meaningful impact in a high-performing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out before your interview. Research their products, values, and recent news. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you tailor your answers to fit their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your problem-solving skills! Think of examples where you've identified issues and implemented solutions, especially using AI tools. Be ready to share these during your chat with them.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your experience; show your enthusiasm for the role. Share your excitement about building operational systems and how you can contribute to their growth. Let your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to be part of our team from the get-go.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Side:We want to see how you think! In your application, highlight any experiences where you've used analytical skills to solve problems or improve processes. Don't just tell us what you did; explain how you approached it and the impact it had.
Demonstrate Your AI Fluency:Since we're all about using AI tools, make sure to include specific examples of how you've used them in your previous roles. Whether it's automating a process or analysing data, we want to know how you've made AI work for you!
Be Process-Minded:We're looking for someone who loves systems and efficiency. In your written application, share instances where you've documented or improved processes. Show us that you're not just about getting things done but about doing them better!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitchcox Motorcycles
✨Know Your AI Tools
Make sure you can talk about your experience with AI tools in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used them to build workflows or automate processes. This role is all about practical application, so show that you’re not just familiar with AI, but that you actively use it to drive efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've approached problem-solving in past roles. Think of situations where you identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions. Highlight your analytical mindset and how it has helped you improve processes, as this is key for the Operations Manager position.
✨Show Your Process-Obsessed Nature
Be ready to explain your approach to documenting and systematising tasks. Share examples of how you've improved processes in previous roles. The company is looking for someone who naturally thinks about efficiency, so make sure to convey your passion for process improvement.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
This role requires a comfort with uncertainty and a proactive attitude. Prepare to discuss times when you've thrived in ambiguous situations or taken initiative without a clear playbook. Show that you’re excited about building something from the ground up and can adapt as the company grows.
